Book stand



Jan. 12, 1932. w DENN|$ 1,840,620

BOOK STAND Filed July 16, 1928 A Patented Jan. 12, 1932 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM J. DENNIS, OF DES momrs, IOWA BOOK STAND Application filed July 16, 1928. Serial No. 293,182.

The object of my invention is to provide a book stand of simple, durable, and comparatively inexpensive construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide a book stand especially adapted for supporting heav books in position for either reading or ta ing notes therefrom, whereby such reading or taking notes is greatly facilitated. o

More particularly, it is my object to provide a book stand especially adapted for the use of students, such as law students, whereby they may use the stand for supporting reference law books in osition for taking Ir. notes therefrom, the book stand itself being foldable into a comparatively small space, whereby it may convenient-1y be carried in the pocket of the owner when not in use.

Still another object is to provide a book stand consisting of an extensible rest frame adapted to have the book positioned thereon and having foldable legs for holding the rest frame in book-holding position, the frame being provided with adjustable and foldable book supports.

With these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved book stand illustrating it in opened position for the reception of a book, the book being shown open thereon. c

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device showing it in folded position as when it is not in use and whereby it may be carried in the pocket of the owner.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of my book stand showing a book thereon in dotted lines 4 and supported by the book supports.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 1; and a Figure 5 is a similar view on the line 55 of Figure 1.

On the accompanyingdrawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate a rest member. Two of the members 10 are provided. Rest bars 12 and 14 are pivotally secured to the rest members 10 by means of rivets 16 and 18. )Vashers 20 are interposed between the rest bars 14 and the rest members 10. The washers 20 are positioned on the rivets 18.

The free ends of the rest bars 12 and 14 are pivoted together by means of rivets 22. At the crossing points of the bars 12 and 14 slots 24 are provided. Through one pair of such slots a clamping screw 26 extends and a sprin washer 28 and thumb nut 30 are positione Through the remaining adjacent slots 24, rivets 32 extend as shown in Figure 5, whereby the bars 12 and 14 are both pivotally and slidably arranged relative to each other.

The lower ends of the rest members 10 are rebent, as indicated at 34 and rubber feet members 36 are positioned on such portions, whereby the members 10 may rest on a table top without scratching the finish thereof. The upper ends of the rebent portions 34 are formed into a hinged joint 37, whereby book supports 38 are pivotally connected with the portions 34. A shoulder 40 is provided on each support 38. At the outer end of each book support 38 a hinged joint 42 is provided, whereby a page holding finger 44 may be pivoted to each book support 38.

The upper ends of the rest members 10 are on the screw 26 back of the rest bar 14.

twisted, as indicated at 46, whereby leg members 48 may be pivoted to the rest members 10. The leg members 48 are provided with twisted portions 50 which rest a ainst the portions 46 of the members 10. crews 52, spring washers 54 and thumb nuts 56 are provided for the pivotal connection of the leg members 48 with the rest members 10, whereby the leg members 48 may be adjusted and retained in such position. The screws 52, washers 54 and nuts 56 are similar to the screw 26, Washer 28 and nut 30 heretofore described.

The lower ends of the leg members 48 are reb'ent, as indicated at 58 for receiving rubber feet members 60.

I Practical operation In the operation of my device it is normally in a folded position, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. In order to extend the device to the position shown in Figure 1, whereby it may support a book as illustrated in dotted lines, the rest members 10 are grasped by the user and pulled away from each other, thereby extending the extensible frame consisting of the members 10, 12 and 14. The members 10 may be maintained at any extended position by tightening the nut 30.

The leg members 48 are now adjusted to the proper position for holding a book at the desired angle relative to the table on which the device rests and the nuts 56 are then tighten-ed for maintaining such adjustment.

The book supports 38 may now be lowered to the position illustrated in Figure 1 until the shoulders 40 thereof contact with the portions 34 of the rest members 10 which act as stops. The leaf holding fingers 44 may be swung inwardly or outwardly as desired, depending on the thickness of the back and leaves between each rest member 10 and each finger 44. Thus, the fingers 44 serve to keep the book open and to prevent the top leaves thereof when open from turning over. The hinged connection 42 is constructed ti ht enough to cause frictional engagement etween the supports 38 and the fingers 44 so that the fingers will remain in any position to which they are adjusted. In Figure 3, the finger 44 is illustrated as slantin inwardly for engaging the leaves of the booi.

Various changes, both in constructional details and arrangement of the Various parts of my device may be made without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a book stand having a rest frame, foldable book supports thereon comprising each two parts hinged together and one of said parts hinged to the lower side of said rest frame, the hinge axes therefor being parallel with each other, said two parts being thereby adjustable to assume one part a substantially horizontal position extending outwardly from said rest frame and the other part a substantially vertical position when the book support is in book supporting position and both parts a position against said rest frame and one part a continuation of the other when folded;

2. In a book stand having an extensible and collapsible rest frame and supporting legs, foldable book supports on said rest frame comprising each two parts, one part having one end thereof hinged to one end of the other part and the other end of said other part being hinged to the lower side of said rest frame, each book support being adapted to assume one part a substantially horizontal position extending outwardly from said rest frame and the other a substantially vertical position extending upwardly from the outer end of said first part when said book support is in book supporting position and both parts assuming a position against the rest frame and one part a continuation of the other when folded.

Des Moines, Iowa, June 27, 1928.

WILLIAM J. DENNIS. 

